time enough for love-时间足够你爱(英文版)-第36章

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　　panionship；　partnership；　mutual　reassurance；　someone　to　laugh　with　and　grieve　with；　loyalty　that　accepts　foibles；　someone　to　touch；　someone　to　hold　your　hand…these　things　are　〃marriage；〃…　and　sex　is　but　the　icing　on　the　cake。　Oh；　that　icing　can　be　wonderfully　tasty…but　it　is　not　the　cake。　A　marriage　can　lose　that　tasty　〃icing〃…say；　through　accident…　and　still　go　on　and　on　and　on；　giving　deep　happiness　to　those　who　share　it。
　　
　　When　I　was　a　rutty　and；　ignorant　youngster；　this　used　to　puzzle　me…　（Omitted）
　　
　　…as　solemnly　ceremonious　as　I　could　swing。　Man　lives　by　symbols；　I　wanted　them　to　remember　this　occasion。　I　had　Llita　dress　in　her　notion　of　fanciest　best。　She　looked　like　a　bloomin'　Christmas　tree；　but　I　told　her　she　looked　beautiful…　which　she　did；　brides　can't　help　it。　Joe　I　dressed　in　some　of　my　clothes　and　gave　them　to　him。　Me　I　dressed　in　a　preposterous　ship's…captain　uniform；　one　I　had　for　use　on　plas　where　such　nonsense　is　customary…。four　wide　gold　stripes　on　my　cuffs；　chest　spangled　with　decorations　bought　in　hockshops；　a　cocked　hat　Admiral　Lord　Nelson　would　have　envied；　and　the　rest　as　fancy　as　any　grand　master　of　a　lodge。
　　
　　I　preached　'em　a　sermon　loaded　with　solemn　amphigory　most　of　it　lifted　from　the　only　church　they　knew；　the　established　religion　of　Blessed…easy　for　me；　having　been　a　priest　there　myself…but　I　added　all　sorts　of　things；　telling　her　what　she　owed　him；　telling　him　what　he　owed　her；　telling　them　both　what　they　owed　the　child　in　her　belly　and　the　other　children　they　would　have…and　tacked　on；　for　both　but　primarily　for　her；　a　warning　that　marriage　was　not　easy；　not　to　be　entered　into　lightly；　because　there　would　be　troubles　they　must　face　together；　grave　troubles　that　would　require　the　courage　of　the　Cowardly　Lion；　the　wisdom　of　the　Scarecrow；　the　loving　heart　of　the　Tin　Woodsman；　and　the　indomitable　gallantry　of　Dorothy。
　　
　　That　got　her　to　weeping；　so　Joe　started　to　drip　tears…which　was　just　what　I　wanted；　so　I　had　'em　kneel　and　prayed　over　them。
　　
　　Minerva；　I　make　no　apology　for　hypocrisy。　I　didn't　care　whether　some　hypothetical　God　heard　me　or　not；　I　wanted　Llita　and　Joe　to　hear　it…first　in　that　jargon　of　Blessed；　then　in　English　and　Galacta；　then　topped　it　off　by　intoning　as　many　lines　of　the　Aeneid　as　I　could　remember。　When　I　got　stuck　I　closed　with　a　schoolboy　song：
　　
　　第25节
　　
　　Omme　bene
　　
　　Sine　poena；　…
　　
　　Tempus　est　ludendi；
　　
　　…Venit　hora
　　
　　Absque　mora；
　　
　　Libros　deponendi！*
　　
　　…and　ended　with　a　resounding　〃So　mote　it　be！〃　Had　'em　stand；　take　each　other's　hands；　and　declared　that；　by　the　supreme　authority　vested　in　me　as　master　of　a　vessel　in　space；　they　were　now　and　forever　husband　and　wife…kiss　her；　Joe。
　　
　　All　to　a　muted　background　of　Beethoven's　Ninth…　That　doggerel　got　in　by　accident　when　I　had　run　out　of　〃punishment　lines〃　of　Virgil　and　needed　a　few　more　impressive　sounds。　But　when　I　thought　about　it　later；　I　saw　that　it　translated　as　appropriately　for　their　honeymoon　as　for　a　school　holiday。　All　was　indeed　well；　now　that　I　knew　that　this　joining　of　siblings　could　take　place　sine　poena…without　fear　of　geic　punishment。　And　ludendi　translates　as　〃amorous　play〃　or　〃Eros〃　as　readily　as　〃gambling〃　or　〃children's　play〃　or　any　other　frolic。　And　I　had　declared　a　four…day　ship's　holiday；　no　work　for　them；　no　study　hours…libros　deponendi…starting　at　once。　Sheer　accident；　Minerva。　It　was　simply　a　bit　of　Latin　verse　that　came　into　my　head…and　Latin　is　majestic；　especially　when　you　don't　understand　it。
　　
　　We　had　a　fancy　supper；　cooked　by　me；　that　lasted　about
　　
　　*　Alliswell
　　
　　Without　punishment；
　　
　　The　time　is　for　playing；
　　
　　es　the　hour
　　
　　Without　delay
　　
　　For　laying　（school）　books　down。
　　
　　Purists　will　see　that　the　Senior　gave　this　jingle　a　poor　translation。　But　one　wonders　why　he　did　not　continue　in　the　same　vein　with　the　cheerfully　bawdy　triple　pun　available　in　the　last　line　by　substituting　〃liberos〃　for　〃libros〃？　That　he　could　have　missed　it　seems　out　of　character。　Our　Ancestor's　capric　disposition　is　everywhere　evident；　his　occasional　professions　of　asceticism　have　at　best　a　hollow　ring。
　　
　　***　J。F。　45th***
　　
　　ten　minutes…for　them。'　Llita　could　not　eat；　and　Joe　reminded　me　of　Johnny's　wedding…night　and　why　his　mother…in…law　fainted。　So　I　piled　a　tray　with　tasty　rations　and　handed　it　to　Joe；　and　told　'em　to　get　lost；　I　didn't　want　to　see　hide　n'　hair　of　'em　for　four　days…s
　　
　　（Omitted）
　　
　　…on　to　Landfall　as　fast　as　I　could　pick　a　cargo。　I　could　not　leave　them　on　Valhalla；　Josie　was　not　yet　able　to　support　a　family；　and　Llita　was　going　to　be　limited　in　what　she　could　do；　either　pregnant　or　with　a　new　baby。　Nor　would　I　be　on　hand　to　pick　'em　up　if　they　fell　down；　they　had　to　go　to　Landfall。
　　
　　Oh；　Llita　could　have　survived　on　Valhalla；　because　there　they　have　the　healthy　attitude　that　a　pregnant　woman　is　prettier　than　the　other　sort　and　that　the　farther　along　she　is；　the　more　beautiful　she　is…true　in　my　opinion　and　especially　true　in　Llita's　case。　She　had　been　passable　when　I　bought　her；　when　we　grounded　at　Valhalla；　she　was　almost　five　months　gone　and　radiantly　beautiful。　If　she　went　dirtside　unescorted；　the　first　six　men　she　encountered　would　want　to　marry　her。　If　she　had　had　one　on　her　back　as　well　as　one　in　her　belly；　she　could　have　married　well　the　day　we　arrived；　fertility　was　respected　there　and　the　pla　wasn't　half　filled　up。
　　
　　I　didn't　think　she　would　jilt　Joe　that　quickly；　but　I　did　not　want　her　head　turned　by　too　much　male　attention。　I　did　not　want　to　risk　even　an　outside　chance　that　Llita　might　leave　him　for　some　wealthy　bourgeois　or　freeholder；　I　had　gone　to　much　trouble　to　build　up　Joe's　ego；　but　it　was　still　fragile　and　such　a　blow　could　kill　it。　He　was　standing　tall　and　proud　now…but　his　pride　was　based　on　being　a　married　man；　with　a　wife；　and　a　child　on　the　way。　Did　I　mention　that　I　had　given　them　one　of　my　names　on　their　marriage　certificate？　They　were　now　Friherr　og　Fru　Lang；　Josef　og　Stjerne；　for　the　duration　of　our　stay　on　Valhalla；　and　I　wanted　them　to　remain　Mr。　and　Mrs。　Long　for　some　years　at　least。
　　
　　Minerva；　I　had　them　take　lifetime　vows　never　believing　that　they　would　keep　them。　Oh；　ephemerals　often　stay　married　for　life；　but　as　for　the　rest…you　don't　find　feathers　on　frogs　very　often；　and　Llita　was　a　na飗e；　friendly；　sexy　little　tart　whose　short　heels　would　cause　her　to　trip　and　land　with　her　legs　open　without　planning　it…I　could　see　it　ing。　I　did　not　want　it　to　happen　before　I　had　a　chance　to　indoctrinate　Joe。　Horns　need　not　give　a　man　a　headache。　But　he　does　need　time　to　grow　up　and　mellow　and　acquire　self…confidence　before　he　can　wear　them　with　tolerance　and　dignity…and　Llita　was
　　
　　just　the　girl　who　could　outfit　him　with　a　fine　rack　of　antlers。　I　got　him　a　job；　pearl　diver　and　handyman　in　a　small　gourmet　restaurant；　with　a　side　arrangement　for　pay…me's　to　the　chef　for　every　Valhalla　dish　Joe　learned　to　cook　correctly。　In　the　meantime　I　kept　her　aboard　on　the　excuse　that　a　pregnant　woman　could　not　risk　the　nasty　weather　until　I　could　get　her　proper　clothing…and　don't　bother　me　now；　dear；　I've　got　cargo　to　worry　about。
　　
　　She　took　it　well　enough；　pouting　just　a　little。　She　didn't　like　Valhalla　anyhow；　it　has　one…and…a…seventh　gee　and　I　had　got　them　used　to　the　luxury　of　free…fall……easy　on　her　swelling　belly；　no　strain　on　her　arches　or　her　swelling　tits。　Now　she　suddenly　found　herself　much　heavier　than　she　had　ever　been；　awkward；　and　with　unhappy　feet。　What　she　could　see　of　Valhalla　from　the　entrance　lock　looked　like　a　frozen　slice　of　hell；　she　was　pleased　by　my　offer　to　take　them　on　to　Landfall。
　　
　　Still；　Valhalla　was　the　only　new　place　she　had　ever　been；　she　wanted　to　see　it。　I　stalled　while　I　got　cargo　unloaded；　then　took　her　measurements　and　got　her　one　warm　outfit　in　local　style…but　I　played　her　a　dirty　trick；　I　fetched　back　three　pairs　of　boots　and　let　her　take　her　choice。　Two　pairs　were　plain　work　boots；　the　third　pair　was　gaudy…and　half　a　size　too　small。
　　
　　So　when　I　did　take　her　groundside；　she　was　wearing　too…tight　boots；　and　the　weather　was　unusually　cold　and　blustery…I　had　watched　the　predictions。　Torheim　is　pretty　in　spots；　as　skyport　cities　go…but　I　avoided　those　parts　and　took　her　〃sightseeing〃　in　dull　neighborhoods…on　foot。　By　the　time　I　flagged　a　sleigh　and　took　her　back　to　the　ship；　she　was　miserable；　and　glad　to　get　out　of　unfortable　clothes；　especially　the　boots；　and　into　a　hot　bath。
　　
　　I　offered　to　take　her　into　town　next　day　but　left　her　free　to　refuse。　She　declined　politely。
　　
　　（Omitted）
　　
　　…not　quite　that　bad；　Minerva；　I　simply　wanted　to　keep　her　in　purdah　without　arousing　her　suspicions。　Actually　I　had　bought　two　pairs　of　those　gaudy　boots；　one　pair　her　correct　size…and　switched　them　on　her　at　the　end　of　that　first　day；　while　she　was　soaking　her　poor　tired　feet。　Later　I　suggested　that　her　trouble　had　been　that　she　had　never　worn　shoes　or　boots　in　her　life…so　why　not　wear　them　around　the　ship　until　she　got　the　hang　of　it？
　　
　　So　she　did　and　was　surprised　at　how　easy　it　was。　I　explained　with　a　straight　face　that　her　feet　had　swelled　the　first　time；so　take　it　easy；　an　hour　today；　a　little　more　each　day；　until　she　felt　fortable　in　them　all　day　long。　In　a　week　she　was　wearing　them　even　if　she　wore　nothing　else；　she　was　more　fortable　in　them　than　barefooted…not　surprising　as　they　were　arch…support　footwear　I　had　picked　most　carefully…　between　pregnancy　and　the　difference　in　surface　gravity　of　the　two　plas…point　niy…five　gee　for　her　home　pla；　one　point　fourteen　for　Valhalla…she　weighed　about　twenty　kilos　more　than　she　ever　had　in　her　life；　she　needed　contoured　foot　supports。
　　
　　I　had　to　caution　her　not　to　wear　them　to　bed。
　　
　　I　took　her　to　town　a　couple　of　times　while　I　was　selecting　cargo；　but　I　coddled　her…not　much　walking　or　standing　around。　She　came　along　when　I　invited　her　but　was　always　willing　to　stay　aboard　and　read。
　　
　　In　the　meantime　Joe　worked　long　hours；　only　one　day　off　in　seven。　So　just　before　we　left；　I　had　him　quit　his　job　and　I　took　my　kids　on　a　proper　holiday；　a　sleigh　hired　for　the　day；　with　reindeer　instead　of　power；　sightseeing　that　was　truly　sightseeing　on　a　clear；　sunny　day　that　was　almost　warm；　lunch　in　the　country　at　a　fine　restaurant　with　a　view　of　snowcovered　crags　of　Jotunheimen　range；　dinner　at　a　still　finer　restaurant　in　the　city；　one　with　live　music　and　entertaimnent　as　well　as　superb　food…and　a　stop　for　tea　at　the　little　gourmet　spot　where　Joe　had　labored　so　that　he　could　be　addressed　as　〃Friherr　Lang〃　by　our　host；　instead　of　〃Hey；　you！〃…and　have　a　chance　to　show　off　his　beautiful；　bulging　bride。
　　
　　And　beautiful　she　was；　Minerva。　On　Valhalla　both　sexes　wear；　under　heavy　outdoor　clothes；　indoor　clothes　that　are　essentially　pajamas。　The　difference　between　those　worn　by　women　and　by　men　lies　in　material；　cut；　and　such。　I　had　bought　one　party　outfit　for　each　of　them。　Joe　looked　smart　and　so　did　I；　but　all　eyes　were　on　Llita。　She　was　covered　from　shoulders　to　boots…but　only　technically。　The　cloth　of　that　harem　outfit　shimmered　with　changing　lights；　orange　and　green　and　gold；　without　obstructing　the　view。　Anyone　who　cared　to　look　could　see　that　her　nipples　were　crinkled　with　excitement…and　everyone　cared　to　look。　That　she　clearly　had　only　a　couple　of　months　to　go　gave　her　a　large　bonus　vote　toward？being　picked　as　〃Miss　Valhalla。〃
　　
　　She　looked　grand　and　knew　it；　and　her　face　showed　her　happiness。　She　was　self…confident；　too；　as　I　had　coached　her　in　local　table　manners；　and　how　to　stand　and　how　to　sit　and　how　to　behave　and　such；　and　she　had　already　got　through　lunch　without　a　bobble。
　　
　　It　was　all　right　to　let　her　display　herself　and　enjoy　the　silent；　or　sometimes　not　silent；　applause；　not　only　were　we　leaving　right　away；　but　also　Joe　and　I　had　our　knives　in　sight　in　our　boot　tops。　True；　Joe　was　no　knife　fighter。　But　the　wolves　there　didn't　know　that；　and　not　one　was　inclined　to　bother　our　beautiful　bitch　when　she　was　flanked　by　wolves　of　her　own。
　　
　　***　Proofer's　note　：　I　assume　something　is　missing　here　？***
　　
　　…early　next　morning　despite　a　short　night。　We　loaded　all　day　long；　with　Lilta　handling　manifests　and　Joe　checking　numbers　while　I　made　sure　I　wasn't　being　robbed。　Late　that　night　I　had　us　in　n…space；　with　my　pilot　puter　sniffing　out　the　last　decimal　places　for　the　first　leg　to　Landfall。　I　set　the　gravistat　to　bring　us　slowly　down　from　Valhalla　surface　normal　to　a　fortable　quarter　gee…no　more　free…fall　until　Llita　had　her　baby…then　locked　the　control　room　and　headed　down　to　my　cabin；　stinking　and　tired　and　trying　to　kid　myself　that　tomorrow　was　soon　enough　for　a　bath。
　　
　　Their　door　was　open…their　bedroom　door；　the　room　that　had　been　Joe's　before　I　turned　their　rooms　into　a　suite。　Door　open　and　them　in　bed…they　had　never　done　that　before。
　　
　　I　soon　learned　why。　They　piled　out　of　bed　and　paddled　toward　me；　they　wanted　me　to　join　their　fun…they　wanted　to　thank　me　。　。　for　that　party　day；　for　buying　them；　for　everything　else。　His　idea？　Hers？　Both？　I　didn't　try　to　fi